Internal Brewsletter - January 22nd, 2025
General
Bourbon Month 2025
With Bourbon Month just around the corner, we’re gearing up for our staff educations to talk all things bourbon and Bourbon Month here at Block 15! In the coming weeks, you’ll be scheduled a time to meet at the Pub and go over some info that will be key in having a fun and busy Bourbon Month. This first document goes over what to expect from the month, specials we’ll have, and fun events that we will hold. Look it over and come ready to learn!
Employee Provision
A weekly special served at the Pub, the idea of which comes primarily from Block 15 employees.
This week’s Employee Provision will be brought to you by Kira! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for Spicy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Bread Bowls!
We’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
This Week’s Releases
Releasing Friday, January 24th
A Nugg Hugg //
Description: A sticky squeeze of hop nugs embraces you with this aromatic, juicy IPA that draws on a heady charge of hops to deliver luscious waves of candied peaches, pineapple, mango, and spruce. // 7.00%
Key Takeaway: Juicy, but dank, hazy, but refreshing, A Nugg Hugg defies expectations. A true Block 15 style hazy IPA.
Tasting Notes: Candied Orange • Dank Herbs • Crowd Pleaser
Format: Draft & Cans
Series: Perennial
Beer Style: Hazy IPA
An IPA sub-style originating in New England, it originally evolved from American IPA to have a lighter malt bill, that had a soft finish from adjuncts containing higher protein levels and water naturally high in Chloride. Early versions retained an assertive bitterness, but that mostly softened over time giving way to a soft, juicy beer with a big, sweet body that mostly featured fruit notes (citrus, tropical, stonefruit, red fruit, etc..). Some versions can contain pine or dank notes as well. Bitterness ranges from light to moderate, and body ranges from moderate to heavy. Hazy is still a rapidly evolving style. The Variations of IPAs have become America’s primary contribution to the pantheon of world beer styles.
The Incredible //
Description: Beyond belief, our triple IPA pushes boundaries with the monumental hop characters of fresh tropical fruit and sticky resin soaring above a pristine malt foundation for incredible balance. // 10.60%
Key Takeaway: Incredibly balanced for the strength. Sweetness comes from the high ABV, and is balanced by bready malts and aromatic hops.
Tasting Notes: Resinous • Pineapple • Heavy Hitter
Format: Draft & Cans
Series: Orbital
Beer Style: Triple IPA
Upcoming Releases
*This list is subject to change based on the production schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Super Nebula // Imperial Stout Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Cocoa Nibs
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 31st (Draft), February 1st (Bottles)
Format: Draft & Bottles
Description: This year's annual Imperial Stout release was matured in Basil Hayden Toast bourbon barrels and then conditioned on organic, direct-trade Tanzanian cocoa nibs specially selected to complement its decadent character.
Super Nebula: Breakfast with Hayden // Imperial Stout Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Cocoa Nibs, Coffee Beans, and Maple
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 31st (Draft), February 1st (Bottles)
Format: Draft & Bottles
Description: Our yearly Super Nebula "Breakfast Edition" features Basil Hayden Toast bourbon barrel matured Imperial Stout, conditioned with fresh-roasted coffee beans, maple, and organic, direct-trade Tanzanian cocoa nibs.
Super Nebula: Ceylon Praline // Imperial Stout Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Pecans, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cocoa Nibs, and Salt
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 31st (Draft), February 1st (Bottles)
Format: Draft & Bottles
Description: Our unique small-batch blend of Super Nebula and Ceylon Praline integrates toasted pecans, Ceylon cinnamon, and salt with the rich base of bourbon barrel and cocoa nib imperial stout base.
Kriek // Oud Bruin Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Cherries
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 31st (Draft), February 1st (Bottles)
Format: Draft & Bottles
Description: Spontaneously fermented in our wild cellar, Kriek is our Oud Bruin matured over two winters on locally farmed tart Montmorency cherries in second-run bourbon barrels, first used to mature Super Nebula, our Imperial Stout.
Crowler/Package Sale for Sippin’ Sunday
20% off all packaged beer to-go, $5 Crowlers, and $10 Growler fills all-day Sunday of a specific beer.
This week’s beers are:
Taproom: Fresh Pow, Barrel ‘97
Pub: Fresca Pils
Beer Education
2:30 pm Tuesdays @ the Tap Room
Join us at the Tap Room every week for an educational session where you can taste and learn about the week’s releases. All are welcome!
4:00 pm Every Other Thursday @ the Pub
The next Happy Hour is this Thursday, 1/23!
Join us every other Thursday in the Game Room at the Pub to taste through beers, discuss our beers, brewing, or any other related topics you have questions about. This is a casual session, and anyone is welcome to attend. If you have an interesting bottle of beer you would like to taste/share with the group, bring it in. Your first beer is on us if you attend.
Beer 101 - The Incredible and the Sweet Sweetness of Booze
Written by Head Brewer Garrison Schmidt
This week we’re releasing the incredible, a huge triple IPA we send out into the world once a year. This beast ships at almost 11% ABV, making it our biggest IPA by far. It’s fun to produce something that’s so far out of normal for the style, but it’s also a really fun opportunity to get to work with balance in a new and interesting way.
When you think about balancing a beer like this, the alcohol has to be taken into account. While you may associate the taste of alcohol with a burning sensation, it also percieves as a mix of bitter and sweet, and the ratio between the two that you personally experience is based on genetics. If you and your friend both took a shot of straight vodka (ethanol and water) one of you may experience a sweetness while the other may experience a bittersweet flavor. About 10% of the population perceives pure alcohol as only bitter, while most of us taste at least some sweetness.
With a beer this strong, the sweetness expressed by the alcohol is a major component to contend with inside style restrictions. That means that we get to play with higher hopping rates in order to keep it tasting great. It gets a huge punch of hop CO2 extract at the beginning of boil, and a nice shot of pellets in the whirlpool and dryhop as well.
I love this beer and think it’s really fun to play with the high ABV, but encourage you to enjoy responsibly. This is legitimately a really strong beer, and has been known to go down a little too easy for its strength.
From the Executive Chef
February Monthly Specials
Our February Monthly Specials will release next Wednesday, 1/29! We normally launch specials the first Wednesday of the month, but with Bourbon month I always do the Wednesday before the 1st so our specials that pair with the beers are live from the getgo! Click the links below to familiarize yourselves before next Wednesday!
We're featuring Bourbon Smoked Chicken Wings for February at the Tap Room. This is a collaboration with Prime Tap House in Portland, one of our accounts known for their amazing chicken wings. They approached us with the idea of using our beer in a BBQ sauce they create. The result is a stout BBQ sauce made with hoisin, honey, soy sauce, and a mix of spices. We'll be showcasing this sauce on our menu, so be sure to highlight it to guests as part of this exciting partnership!
Dessert Update!
Cherry Streusel Cheesecake: You may have seen the cheesecake we ran at the pub last weekend, we will be keeping that going as a replacement for the panna cotta. It’s a vanilla bean basque cheesecake topped with cherry pie topping (contains tuaca, a brandy), and a spoonful of streusel. The cheesecake itself is crustless and made without gluten so if someone wants a gluten free dessert we can sell it with just the cherries.
Love Potion Bells are dropping next Friday the 31st! Love Potion #9 stout chocolate cake with a raspberry infused filling and a hint of cayenne in the ganache (because love stings), topped with our signature swirl and a sprinkle of dried raspberries.
Pub Updates
Remember that it is an expectation that Sling messages are checked before each shift (which is why we allow clocking in up to 10 minutes early). A lot of important updates come from the team through Sling and are often necessary info for shifts.
Tap Room Updates
Caves Updates
Valentine’s Day at Caves
This year, we’ll be running a couple of specials from Thursday, February 13th, through Saturday, February 15th. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
Dinner Special
Winter Black Truffle & Parsnip Risotto, Boudin Blanc, Shaved Apple & Herb Salad
Dessert Special
Brown Butter Brownie, Marionberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Events
Bourbon Month
Our Brewer’s Dinners are almost sold out! Our Guided Pairing on 2/1 still has plenty of spots available if you encounter someone who missed out. Tickets for the Caves Bourbon dinner will go on sale soon, too.
Our Bourbon Month web page is live! Any materials (like posters or table tents) with QR codes will lead here. You can direct customers here too, as it’s a good overview of everything we’re doing.
Super Bowl at the Tap Room
February 9th
We’ll have the game on the big screen (with sound on), and chicken wings.
High Fives
People participating in Word of the Day - Thanks for your truly superlative selections!
If you have kudos or kind words to share anonymously in the Brewsletter, use the button below!
Human Resources
Staff Section
Check back next week.
The People’s Pint / Cheers for Charity / Dine Out
Dine Out for 4 Spirits Foundation - February 11th
As part of Bourbon Month, we’ll be hosting representatives from 4 Spirits Distillery for a special bourbon tasting at the Pub from 6 - 8 pm. Two cocktail specials using their bourbon and barrel-aged gin will be on the menu. In addition, a portion of the day's food sales from both of our locations will be donated to the 4 Spirits Foundation.